held up in 5th, headway to track leading pair 7th, chased winner before 4 out until soon after, went 2nd again approaching 3 out, no impression when lost 2nd flat
jumped left, led 2nd, narrowly headed 7th, fell next
held up last, headway from 9th, chased winner after 4 out to approaching next, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders in 3rd, left chasing winner 7th outpaced and lost pace 4 out, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, took 2nd flat, no chance with winner
led to 2nd, stayed pressing leader, led 7th, slightly hampered by loose horse 9th, in command when again hampered by loose horse approaching 2 out, stayed on well
in touch, ridden and struggling after 8th, finished tired, tailed off
held up in touch until blundered and unseated rider 5th
A cracking contest as you'd expect with the money on offer and one that can see the ultra-consistent Fondmort win a Grade One for the first time, with Our Vic and Fundamentalist the most likely dangers. The selection takes on two-and-a-half milers for the first time at level weights and has been crying out for this opportunity. With nothing rated higher than 158, trip and ground to suit him, and his yard in tremendous form, he can finally show his class in this sphere. Our Vic is undoubtedly a classy performer in his own right, and if he jumps round here then he will form stiff opposition for Nicky Henderson's 10-year-old. The Martin Pipe-trained gelding has completed only once in his last five starts, and the fact that he is away from the Cheltenham fences that have given him trouble in the past will probably be a blessing for potential backers, but he won't be carrying this race reader's money with so many doubts for him to overcome. Fundamentalist is the potential improver in the field and being by Supreme Leader he should handle the ground, though his form suggests he prefers a sound surface. He is very highly regarded by Nigel Twiston-Davies, but his comeback effort showed him to be very ring rusty and it would be a remarkable effort to have him back at fever pitch just yet. Take The Stand wants further and faster ground to be at his best, It Takes Time is 12lb higher than when winning a weaker running of this 12 months ago and faces a much more difficult task, while My Will has 10lb to find on official ratings, despite his penchant for soft ground. But Fondmort has plenty going for him here and he gets our vote.
Fondmort (FR) 10-3fav (11-12) Close up, led from 5th, ridden last, fading flat, held on, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Jan beating Too Forward (10-9) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Fundamentalist (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden after 5 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, well behind Mister McGoldrick (11-8) at Wetherby 2m chs Grd 2 (A) sft in Dec.
It Takes Time (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, jumped right 2 out, weakened last, eased flat, 7th of 11, well behind Royal Auclair (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (A) gs in Dec.
My Will (FR) 11-4fav (10-4) Held up, chased leaders when hit 4 out and next, no impression when mistake last, 3rd of 10, 17l behind Therealbandit (9-10) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) sft in Dec.
Our Vic (IRE) 9-2fav (11-12) Towards rear, mistake 2nd, behind when pulled up at the 8th in race won by Sir Oj (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Supreme Prince (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) In touch, ridden from 12th, soon weakened, 11th of 16, well behind Bold Bishop (11-3) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Nov.
Take The Stand (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway to chase winner 5 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Therealbandit (9-10) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) sft in Dec.
